A battle of Britain takes place at Old Trafford with Manchester United and Rangers going-head-to-head in the Europa League as seventh place and the team in eighth meet in midweek. The likeness between the two clubs, who used to dominate their respective countries with domestic success but are now starved of domestic success, is uncanny.
United are one of four teams yet to taste defeat in this season’s Europa League group stage, but Thursday’s opponents are certainly not to be underestimated. Since the Gers had to restart in the deepest doldrums of the Scottish pyramid, they’ve arguably been more impressive continentally than domestically.
Domestic disappointments like defeats away to Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and St Mirren – alongside draws in Edinburgh to both Hearts and Hibs, away to Motherwell and against Dundee away and Dundee United at home – leave the fans scratching their heads.
Yet the same team have swept Malmö aside in Sweden, drawn in Greece to Olympiacos, battered Nice in France and were unfortunate not to beat Tottenham Hotspur at Ibrox in their mid-December meeting. It depends very much on which Rangers turn up on Thursday and which Manchester United decide to show up!
Manchester United Team News
Luke Shaw remains an injury doubt, despite being seen at Old Trafford in United’s late win over Southampton last Thursday night, due to a hamstring injury.
Jonny Evans, who had been linked with a transfer move to tonight’s opponents earlier in the January window, is expected to continue to miss out alongside fellow centre-back Victor Lindelöf.
Mason Mount hasn’t been seen since the Manchester derby victory over City at the Etihad, so is another that will most likely remain on the sidelines.
Rangers Team News
Former United goalkeeper Jack Butland is expected to be fit again, and take Liam Kelly’s place in goal for the Gers. However, like the hosts, the majority of Rangers’ absentees are defensive ones.
Dujon Sterling picked up a foot injury in the six goal thriller with Hibernian at Easter Road in early January, and has been sat on the sidelines since. Going back even longer, John Souttar hobbled off in the draw with Spurs in mid-December. And even further back, Neraysho Kasanwirjo has been out with a knee injury since the sole goal success over Hearts at Ibrox in November.
Mohamed Diomande is suspended for the clash at Old Trafford, with the Ivorian midfielder having been booked in three Europa League matches so far this season. Former United youth Tom Lawrence is “back with the squad” according to Gers boss Philippe Clement, but a start seems unlikely after a lengthy lay-off with injury.
PREDICTED XI
Bayindir;
De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez;
Mazraoui, Casemiro, Eriksen, Dalot;
Amad, Fernandes;
Hojlund.
FORM GUIDE
Manchester United All Competitions Form:
L D W W L
Manchester United Europa League Form:
D D W W W
Rangers All Competitions Form:
D D W W W
Rangers Europa League Form:
L W D W D
PREDICTION
As stated earlier, both teams have shown incredible inconsistencies.
There have been glimpses of the Manchester United that Ruben Amorim is attempting to create, such as the Manchester derby victory over City at the Etihad and a decent display at Anfield against Liverpool.
The incentive that they can essentially seal a top eight spot in the Europa League with a win should carry them to victory, but that shouldn’t be taken for granted against a dangerous (on their day) Rangers team.
It’s a tricky game to predict but you’d imagine if United were to get a result then it’d probably be through former Gers flop Amad Diallo, should he start again here. It’s a funny old game isn’t it?
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Rangers